kingdoms_of_auradon | We Can Make A Dress So Pretty

Who: Gabriel and anyone, but especially those who'll be participating in his fashion show (Open with one closed prompt)
Where: The Auradon prep Home Ec room
When: A few days after the holiday party
What: Taking final measurements for those in the fashion show, general socializing with the awkward fashion nerd for others
Warnings: Shouldn't be any besides maybe some feels? Will add more if need be.

Final Measurement Appointments

Most of those in Auradon would know Gabriel as being a bit awkward, but those who visited the Home Ec room today would find him in his element. A tantalizing glimpse of a rack of partly finished dresses- and one child-sized suit- could be seen peeking through the gaps of a curtained off area, while finalized design sketches of the same outfits decorated the bulletin board. Meanwhile Gabriel stood ready with measuring tape and notebook as well as a sturdy step stool for those who were on the shorter side as he awaited his prospective models.

Any knocks on the door during the expected timeframe would be met with a warm smile. "Ah, welcome," he said. "Please, come in and we'll get started."

Wonder Twins?- Closed to Nagihiko

Gabriel smiled down at Nagihiko. "I'm glad you were willing to help out," he said. "I understand why the situation would feel a bit awkward to your sister, but thankfully at this age there shouldn't be too much difference between the two of you." That would all change once puberty happened of course, but for now, one twin's measurements should suffice for both. He may have to do a few quick stitches for Nadeshiko on the day, but that would be a simple matter. "If you could take off your hoodie and any other bulky clothing, we'll begin."

General Socializing

Measurements taken, Gabriel could be found hard at work, finishing up the outfits for his new line. Whether tightening up the waistline just so, adjusting the length of a hem, or letting out the sleeves just a bit, he'd do his best to make certain every detail was perfect. Agreste originals demanded nothing less. But that didn't mean he would be especially averse to visitors. And honestly it may be a good idea for someone to poke in on him from time to time, lest he miss a meal or two.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He reached out to rest a reassuring hand o Nagihiko's shoulder. "I won't tell anyone," he assured him. "Not without your express permission. Though I'm curious why you'd go through this elaborate deception at all."

He took a deep breath, clutching his phone. "It... is tradition. In order to be the best dance instructors in the world, the heir to the Fujisaki dance studio has to be able to teach men and women and young girls and young boys equally as well. So whatever gender the heir is, they spend the first twelve years of their life as the other gender, then usually a few years abroad, then come back to Japan in their birth gender as their own sibling or cousin and their past identity just fades away. But... I... I came back earlier than I was supposed to. I was only gone a year... But everything had changed and I... I still... I don't know how to be Nagihiko," he sniffed. A few tears started to roll down his face as his shoulders hunched in. "Nadeshiko knows how... how to talk to people, how to make them smile, how to make them do whatever she wants them to do. She knows how to play and how to have fun and how to help the Guardians. And I... until I got here... Rhythm hadn't even hatched. I was the only Guardian without a hatched Chara. And... And the only one who couldn't Charanari..." Nope, that word... did not translate. Because there was no exact translation for it on any other world. Though if there was... it would have sounded very familiar to Gabriel...

(I hate that I don't have the right icons for this thread, but no point in reupping the paid when I am about to be on slowstatus >.<)

Gabriel had thoughts about parents who would intentionally put their child through something like that. But now was neither the time nor the place to share them. "It's entirely natural to be confused and upset in a situation like yours," he said. "Frankly I think you're handling it better than some your age might. But the good news is that you've got plenty of time and space to grow, especially here in Auradon. And you don't have to try and handle it all by yourself now."

"Though if you don't mind my asking, why did you come home earlier than planned? And what does 'Charanari' mean? I'm afraid I've never heard the term before."

He hesitated, squirming a bit. "I... I mean Nadeshiko... well... me too I guess... we were worried about Hinamori-chan. And we had to help fight Easter. But without my Charas..."

"Charanari is when we help our children transform!" Rhythm said, happily.

Nagihiko nodded, looking at his feet. "Charachange is when we have a small change and they take over a little. But some of us, like Hinamori-chan... can fully transform like a superhero. But when I went back... everyone else could, even the new Gaurdians. But I didn't even have a hatched Chara anymore. I... I think Hothori-san only made me a Guardian because he was told the truth..."

If there was some cosmic force out there controlling the multiverse, Gabriel thought they must be having a good laugh about the situation between himself and Nagihiko. Certainly it'd be something he'd need to discuss with Nooroo later when he got the chance.

"I'm guessing that 'Easter' is referring to something other than the holiday in this case," he said. "And while it's certainly interesting to learn that superheroes exist outside of comic books and such, I'm admittedly somewhat concerned about children your age being in such a situation, powers or no. I'm not doubting you or your friends' capabilities, mind you, it's just..."

He trailed off, as he could only picture Adrien or Garfield throwing themselves into danger regularly, even protected by powers similar to those granted by a Miraculous, and had to take a deep, shaky breath to try and dispel the icy dread and worry that clenched around his heart at the mere thought. It was only partially successful. "It's just... that no child should be made to face such danger. Or forced to bear such a heavy responsibility."

"Easter is a company back where we come from... They have their fingers in everything. But they... um... you know Utau, right?" he asked, suddenly unsure if he should keep explaining or not. Not that he owed her anything... but... no what if she started attacking people here? He had to. Had to be brace enough. Nadeshiko would be.

He took a deep breath, looking at his hands as they closed into fists. "Utau and her brother work for Easter. They use their powers to steal the Hearts' Eggs of small children. Eggs like the ones Rhythm and Temari come from... They're trying to find the Embryo. But most adults can't see Hearts' Eggs, so it is up to us who can to find and with Hinamori-chan's help, purify them so they can go back to their children."

He nodded when asked if he knew Utau. He didn't know the girl especially well, of course, but she was also participating in the show, so they'd met and spoken a bit. He frowned thoughtfully at what Nagihiko said about her and her brother.

"Hmm... if the business with Easter is as big a conspiracy as you say, I find it difficult to believe that she and her brother got involved willingly," he said. "Or with full understanding of what their parts in it might mean. But I at least understand the essential issue. That doesn't men that I like the ide of children being forced into such a situation any better however."

"What is this 'Embryo' that Easter is after though? I imagine it must be quite valuable or powerful for them to go to so much trouble trying to locate it."

"It is a legendary special Hearts' Egg. No one knows where it comes from, why it exists. But whoever holds it can have a wish granted. Easter wants it, and is willing to hurt children to get it. We have to get it first."

We Can Make A Dress So Pretty

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